After Almost 70 Years, Miss USA Has First Bi Candidate

Rachel Slawson may not even be crowned Miss United States – but she is already making history: the pageant veteran, now 25 years old, has become the first openly bisexual woman to be among the candidates in the event's 68-year history.

Slawson will run for the national stage representing the state of Utah, which, despite being quite conservative due to its Mormon majority, has appeared with some frequency in pro-diversity news.

The beauty was crowned in Utah this month and used Instagram to reveal her sexuality and the difficulties she faced, such as having bipolar disorder and attempting suicide at just 19 years old. Check out.

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Let's just get straight to the point: The last time I tried to end my life I was 19 years old, and it was the night I lost Miss Utah USA. “Why wasn’t I enough?” This is my 7th pageant, my 5th time competing at Miss Utah USA, and tonight I finally experienced hands down the biggest dream of my life. After a few trips to the psych ward, being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (the reason I had such an extreme reaction to losing a pageant) and finally coming to terms with who I am as a queer woman. And the only difference between tonight, and the night I left broken hearted wishing I wasn't alive, is that I knew I was enough before I arrived. I am so grateful for this crown. And I promise to do right by Utah and spend this year sharing my truth. But if I'm being honest with you, this crown is a new job, not an answer to the question I spent the last 9 years asking. “Why am I even here?” I am why. If you are in crisis, please text TALK to 741741, and remember you are always worthy of help, and you are worthy of your biggest dream. Your new Miss Utah USA 2020. ?

A post shared by Rachel Slawson (@saltyrachel) on Jan 18, 2020 at 9: 56pm PST

This is my 7th pageant, my 5th time competing in Miss Utah USA, and tonight I finally experienced the biggest dream of my life, after a few trips to the psych ward, being diagnosed with bipolar disorder (the reason I had a such an extreme reaction to losing a pageant) and finally coming to terms with who I am as a queer woman.

The information is CNN.